Hello I am strongly considering going to Shamballah this year, as it is relatively close to where I live and was wondering if anybody has been, how they liked it, and how it compared to the burn?

I have the same question for those who have been to Rainbow Gathering. It is in Washington this year, and being that that will happen once in 50 years, I should probably not miss it? How is it? How is it in relation to the burn? I know they do not have much electronic and alcohol is strongly frowned upon, but what else?

Rainbow Gathering; it's probably OK to forget your toothbrush, there's a special class with free ones. Some (hippie) woman is trying to teach all the RG hippies how to brush their teeth. Now if she could only work on flossing,______,______,________,______ and the list goes on and on...

Have fun!!

I'm the MAN in a truck, burner who is stuck, you're in luck! I'll whip out my BIG tow chain and not charge you, not even one lousy buck!

Rainbow gatherings are a much less challenging environment. There are spring taps to provide clean water on site, kitchens to get food from, open campfires are allowed, plenty of natural shade, etc.
You'll need much less equipment and supplies than you would to survive in the desert. There are people that come with nothing but the clothes on their backs and do just fine. Though this is NOT ideal as you would inevitably have to rely on the community for some things.
All the food that feeds the gathering is via donations. I like to bring a few favorite snacks for my camp, then fill any extra space in the car with food to kick down to kitchens.
Gatherings are entirely volunteer run and gyre is right that the volunteers work much harder. Basically if you see something that needs doing... it just became your job. Its less about radical self reliance and more focused on community building.
Hope this helps. Ill actually be attending Shambhala, the national gathering in Washington, and Burning Man this year.

"The cost of sanity in this society, is a certain levelï»¿ of alienation"

Rainbow Gatherings are not for anyone who wants to stay sparkling clean the whole time by any means. I mean you're camping in the woods. What do you expect? I brush my teeth every day, wash off and change clothes. But obviously there aren't showers or anything.. doesn't mean you have to be gross.

The best parts are the people and trade circle.

But the people can also be the worst part. You get free cigarettes, food, etc. But you probably will also be asked for kick backs at some point. Don't take free stuff if you aren't willing to give. That's my advice.

And yeah, I guess Gatherings can be dull if you aren't into that sort of thing. I call it being jaded personally but hey, everything is what you make it. I've been to expensive festivals plenty of times but I still had way more fun in the woods.

sktELEMENT wrote:Hello I am strongly considering going to Shamballah this year, as it is relatively close to where I live and was wondering if anybody has been, how they liked it, and how it compared to the burn?

I have the same question for those who have been to Rainbow Gathering. It is in Washington this year, and being that that will happen once in 50 years, I should probably not miss it? How is it? How is it in relation to the burn? I know they do not have much electronic and alcohol is strongly frowned upon, but what else?

Thanks!

Why don't you go and find out if its your thing to do or not? Nothing to lose...

Man! I keep bumping into old threads... but still give my opinion anyway.

sktELEMENT wrote:Hello I am strongly considering going to Shamballah this year, as it is relatively close to where I live and was wondering if anybody has been, how they liked it, and how it compared to the burn?

I have the same question for those who have been to Rainbow Gathering. It is in Washington this year, and being that that will happen once in 50 years, I should probably not miss it? How is it? How is it in relation to the burn? I know they do not have much electronic and alcohol is strongly frowned upon, but what else?

Thanks!

Why don't you go and find out if its your thing to do or not? Nothing to lose...

Man! I keep bumping into old threads... but still give my opinion anyway.

The same old questions come up time and time again. Better to bump an old thread, and have a concentration of opinions about something, then havet o start all over again from scratch...(Of course, there are some old threads that are crap, and deserve to die painful ignominious deaths with stakes in their hearts and steaks in their hearts (so the coyotes eat them) and have kangaroos jump on their graves over and over until they are dust. Those I never want to see again.)

The Lady with a Lamprey

"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri

sktELEMENT wrote:Hello I am strongly considering going to Shamballah this year, as it is relatively close to where I live and was wondering if anybody has been, how they liked it, and how it compared to the burn?

<snip>

Thanks!

Have you been to BRC? I ask because there's many ways to compare the two and the only similarity that everyone could agree on is that they are both 'places to go'.

I'm not sure how many regular posters on here have gone to Shambhala, but I bet it's not many considering the discussions about sound camps. *shrug* If one has yet to attend, what can they really say about it? I actually have some experience with Shambhala. I've attended the festival 10 times since 2000, and for the last 7 years I've been contributing my energy and creativity to a 'theme camp' called The Village. Our crew is 60+ people strong including welders, a stone mason, carpenters, engineers, electricians and a cook. There are 6 different groups of people that put together their own productions (6 stages), The Village is just one of them. Personally, each year I put in over two months of full time work into this project. My 'pay' is entry into the festival and meals while I'm there.

Shambhala Music Festival showcases many different types of art, and it is centered around music. There is a vendor village showcasing all types of creativity, lots of money can be spent there.There are many types of food vendors. meals typically cost $9-$15. good food choices, they will fill you up. The festival runs for four nights, one can camp for five or six with an early entrance fee...it's easy to bring your own food and cut the vendor meals. There's hike-in camping, car camping, RV hook-ups(limited), Shambhalodging (tent, mattress, pillow, food provided..extra fee).The festival is on private property owned by a family who raise cattle on it for the rest of the year. The land is absolutely beautiful.There is no alcohol permitted and this year the festival is 19+.

The staff work hard to bring about a magical experience for the attendees and we play HARD in our playground. Yeah, there's irresponsible people there. But I'm hoping, really hoping that maybe they'll take our lead

This festival gives you the option to spend money if you want to. It is entirely possible to not spend a dime while you are there if you prepare properly. you will need good earplugs if you want to enjoy the music and also have conversations. dB 15 reducing musicians earplugs are worth the investment.

(ie; one place, you + your stuff leave covered in white dust. the other you + your stuff leave covered in brown dust)

I just looked at the Shamballah Festival website. I saw a Britzbitz on it, is that you?

It seems as though Burning Man and Shamballah are vastly different. (I haven't been to Shamballah)

At Shamballah why no alcohol? Some of the infamous musicians' are drinkers, how do they get through it? I don't drink, but drinkers are drinkers, if you know what I mean. The vendors don't even sell sell it? I'm utterly stunned. (I do have a sip or night cap, soooo...hmmmm, even I might have an issue)

No fire allowed? Huuuuge difference. I perform with fire, most of us do (probably 99% do or have or will) This is a deal killer for me, the end. The lasers and lighting look tempting...although these are popular at the burn, being playa proof, so to speak.

No motorized couches and such, also a deal killer for many/most burners, think of the gearheads!!! They are dear to to us. Other banned items seem reasonable, considering the geography and the fact broken glass and cattle ranching don't mix well.

No offense Britzbitz, if I had the extra dough, I'd probably go to Shamballah (& Yosemite, Hawaii, etc. For me, it's the burn, I am prepared and fired up)

I'm the MAN in a truck, burner who is stuck, you're in luck! I'll whip out my BIG tow chain and not charge you, not even one lousy buck!